Which offensive linemen are the blockers to watch for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida entering the 2026 season?
As the clock ticks down toward the start of the season, here's a closer look at some of the area's best in Florida high school football. On Friday, Aug. 21, Jacksonville-area schools begin the march toward the Florida High School Athletic Association championships on deck for this December in Miami, the first season since the end of the Rural Class and the FHSAA's realignment to six classes. Last year, Raines brought home Jacksonville's first state title since 2021.
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Here's the Times-Union's ranking of the area's best OLs.
Roy Harvison Jr., Raines
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-2, 290
Helped Raines to fourth
FHSAA championship in school history in 2025. Also named a top performer at Navy National Combine. Most often projected at center but could also contribute at guard.
Marquice Beals, White
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 280
Could play center or guard at next level. Gateway Conference honoree last year on Commanders lineup that broke Florida's modern regular-season points record. Early listed offers include UNC-Pembroke and West Alabama.
William Zebroski, Bolles
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-4, 295
Worked his way into playing time for senior-heavy Bulldogs front during state final season last year. Most often projected as guard but does have experience at center. Listed offers include Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky.
James Holder, Bishop Kenny
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-4, 305
Powerful blocker began anchoring the left side of the Crusaders' line in freshman year. Finishes run blocks with power, helping Bishop Kenny gain 2,415 yards on the ground in 2025. Listed offers include Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.
John O'Dwyer, Nease
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-4, 280
Rated as a three-star prospect and a top-25 interior offensive lineman for the 2028 class for 247Sports. Has played tackle at Nease but could move inside at the next level. Received more than a dozen Division I offers, including Florida and Florida State. Father, Matt O'Dwyer, played 10 NFL seasons on the offensive line.
Sean Hassan, Ponte Vedra
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-7, 310
A three-star recruit and a top-125 tackle for Rivals. Hassan selected Florida Atlantic in June ahead of more than 10 listed offers, including Louisville, Rutgers and Wake Forest. Part of punishing offense that gained 480 points and more than 5,200 total yards in 2025.
Christian Bond, St. Augustine
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-6, 310
Versatile and big blocker could play guard or tackle at next level. Helped the Yellow Jackets to the FHSAA regional final as a junior. Listed offers include Jacksonville State and UMass.
Omari Lawson, Zarephath Academy
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-6, 265
This independent-school prospect is rising in the rankings fast, now listed as a four-star by Rivals. Rated as a top2- lineman for the 2028 class for ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports. Committed to Syracuse since October 2025, with more than a dozen other offers including Florida, Georgia and LSU.
Marcus Small, First Coast
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-7, 290
Has been committed to Syracuse since October and announced in June that his recruitment is shut down amid interest from programs including UCF, Louisville and Wake Forest. The three-star prospect is rated in the top 90 at offensive tackle by 247Sports. Also a district track and field competitor in the discus, javelin and shot put.
Clayton Lee, West Nassau
![West Nassau offensive tackle Clayton Lee is pictured at Baker's Sports/Jaguars Prep High School Media Day for football in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 21, 2026. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/07/23/NFTU/91025059007-072126-md-c-lee-2.JPG)
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-7, 315
Outstanding blocker committed to South Carolina in June. Rated as a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite and a top-90 offensive tackle. Cleared path for 4,634 yards rushing as a junior. Also an FHSAA regional track and field qualifier in the shot put.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ranking Jacksonville area's best OLs in Florida high school football
